Catholic Education Sunday 2019: A celebration of Many Gifts and One Mission

The Catholic Church here in Singapore commemorated Catholic Education Sunday on the weekend of September 14 & 15 this year. A total of 31 schools participated at 50 masses in some 26 churches. It was an opportunity for a tripartite expression of communion between school, parish and home which saw students, school staff and parent volunteers participating at masses and co-served as lectors, wardens, or as part of the choir. Schools leaders and teachers were also present to interact with parishioners.

This year, His Grace, the Archbishop of Singapore has also written a pastoral message in the Catholic News [Sept 8, 2019] entitled ‘Finding Alignment in Catholic Education’ where he reminded us first of the connection between Catholic education and the vision and mission of the Archdiocese, which is to build a vibrant, evangelizing and missionary Church. Second, he drew our attention to the challenges of the values of the world that is leading to the loss of faith and despair about the meaning of life and the future of humanity. Alerting us to the critical need of a proper foundation in Catholic education, the Archbishop expressed his wish to lead the way forward first by appealing to us that we aligned ourselves with the vision of Catholic education in our Church. This will be done through open, sincere and regular dialogue and shared discernment by all so as to seek ways to protect and promote the Catholic ethos of our schools.

Apart from the Archbishop’s pastoral message for the occasion, a special prayer of blessing for educators was imparted at all masses as well as the distribution of 61,000 cards in 31 churches detailing the vision and mission of Catholic education in Singapore.

ACCS thanks all parishes and partners in education for supporting and celebrating the event.